“When in the Course of human events….” So begins the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, July 4th, 1776. In a few days we will be celebrating the signing of this remarkable document with parades, picnics and fireworks. How many of us will recall the words penned by the founders for that momentous occasion? It would be good to take a few moments to re-read it for the first time and ruminate on its contents. (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html).
Consider what the colonizers were facing in their daily lives that would compel them to establish their independence from Britain. Why would they be willing to “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor?” Was life so bad for them to cause them to rebel against the most powerful nation in the world at that time? Hint: It’s well stated in the Declaration.
It is worth noting the courageous fortitude these men demonstrated as they fixed their signatures to a manuscript that would result in their poverty and death. Thus began the freedom this nation has experienced for 236 years. Or has it really been that long? Has our freedom not been waning over the past couple decades, with increasing declination? Is it time to re-establish our independence, not from a foreign government, but from that which is domestic? Depending on one’s perspective argument could be made for or against such a notion. Where does our independence come from? Those men who dedicated themselves to the creation of the United States recognized it ultimately comes from our Creator, acting through the deeds of men. Can we have liberty aside from God? What can we do to secure that freedom?
There’s nothing we can do within ourselves to guarantee, or maintain the assurance of liberty, but that we must rely upon Almighty God to extend His hand of mercy to secure the pre-established freedom. Why would I make such a statement? Because we as a people of a great nation, established at the hand of a Sovereign God, have forgotten about the sacrifices made at the outset of this country and the stand those men and women took in honoring their Heavenly Father. We have become complacent, self-indulgent and self-reliant rather than God-reliant. We have chased God out of the public arena, its schools and institutions. This has resulted in God lifting His hand off the nation that once stood for and honored His name.
Have we reached the point of no return? Perhaps, but I see a glimmer of hope that things can turn around if we regard II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
How many of us can say we are called by His name? The only salvation for this nation is to repent from our wicked ways. We need to seek God with humility and asking His guidance in our lives. Without that first happening it doesn’t matter what else we may do to turn this nation back to its foundation, for all our efforts are futile without God’s intervention. He promised to forgive our transgressions and heal our land if we humble ourselves and seek him. Without such action on our part then we have reached the point of no return and this nation has brought destruction upon itself.
Shalom
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